Should Steve Smith be Australia’s next Test opener and a BBL SuperCoach must have

Will Steve Smith replace David Warner as Australia’s opener? Which BBL veteran is a must have for SuperCoach?

The Australian Test team now has a debate about a vacant opening spot - but a former captain reckons he’s up for the job - and a Scorchers legend is worth picking in BBL SuperCoach. Read on and listen to the Cricket Today Podcast for opinions on whether Steve Smith should be Australia’s newest opening batsman and a full BBL SuperCoach breakdown.

NEW ERA FOR SMITH

With David Warner dominating one of Australia’s Test opening spots for the past 13 years, there hasn’t been a chance for another strong batsman to take his spot.

But with the Man With Amazing Boomerang Baggy Green retiring, former Aussie captain Steve Smith has admitted to the media that he thinks he is the right man for the job.

Marcus Bazzano of the Cricket Today Podcast believes this could be a great move, as the Aussie star has the stats to back it up.

“Smith coming into bat after the first one to two overs,” explains Bazzano, “averages a huge 106 through six innings, with three hundreds and a half century.”

“If he wants to they should give him the chance.”

Although a decision hasn’t yet been made, Australia Coach Andrew McDonald has said he would back Smith and Smudge - with an exceptional Test match average of 58 - has earned the chance to get himself back into form no matter the circumstances.

Steve Smith averages:

• Batting at three in Tests: 67.07
  
• Batting at four in Tests: 61.50
  
• Batting at five in Tests: 57.18
  
• Opening in T20I: 35.5
• Opening in BBL: 86.5

Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith reacting in an Ashes press conference. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

EXPERIENCE IS A BIG FACTOR

The opening batter position in any Test side is no easy proposition and fellow ‘Sandpaper Gate’ associate Cameron Bancroft is an experienced player putting his hand up for a fulltime return to the national team.

Having not played much for Australia since the South African sandpaper incident, Leo Mullaly of the Cricket Today Podcast thinks this is the perfect opportunity for Bancroft to make a comeback.

“Bancroft has been the leading run scorer at Shield State level, averaging 56... fantastic form. I think that Shield players should be rewarded,” adds Mullaly, “rather than going through the cycle of the same players.”

The West Australian had a shaky start to his Test career, averaging 26 runs from 2017, but has become a whole different player since then.

Cameron Bancroft averages:

• Opening in Tests: 26.23
• Opening in First Class: 39
• Opening in Sheffield Shield ‘23/‘24: 56

Cam Green is the other player whose name has been circled by the media (and Aussie dressing room) in talks as to who could open the batting.

This would help start a new wave of Test cricket in Australia, but picking Green would be quite risky with the young all-rounder not having much opening experience and struggling to get into the side right now.

Cam Green averages:

• Batting at six in Tests: 34.96
• Opening in T20I: 19.5

Andrew Tye of the Scorchers celebrates after getting a wicket against the Renegades at Optus Stadium. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

BBL SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE

Andrew Tye - $159,700

Andrew Tye has been one of the best in the BBL for a long time now - he’s the all-time leading wicket-taker for the Scorchers - and is remains the perfect addition in SuperCoach with a career average economy rate of just 7.8.

AJ has scored the second most SuperCoach points of any Perth bowler this season, yet he is still great value as their sixth most expensive player and he has a Round 7 double that will help him post another huge score.

The wily fast bowler averages a massive 59 SuperCoach points against the Thunder across his career and with the Thunder’s form (being second last) he should cash in and get multiple wickets with his tricky slower balls.

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Originally published as Should Steve Smith be Australia’s next Test opener and a BBL SuperCoach must have